Interlocking camp box support systems

ABSTRACT

Camp boxes have end plates adapted to support the boxes in a variety of positions. The end plates on a box have a series of pole receiver holes formed around their edges, so that poles inserted into the holes support the box. The plate edges and/or faces may also include peg receiver holes, so that two boxes may be attached by inserting a peg into a peg receiver hole on an end plate of each box. The pegs and peg receiver holes may include locking mechanisms.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/724,724, filed Oct. 11, 2005 and incorporates it herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns camp boxes and apparatus for supporting and connecting them in various configurations.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of trunks, foot lockers, gear boxes, chuck boxes and the like have been used to hold gear for outdoor activities such as camping. Campers have placed the boxes on tailgates, tables, or sawhorses, or have added legs to the boxes, in order to put the items at a convenient height and keep them away from animals and out of dirt or water. Campers have added shelves and drawers to the boxes.

However, conventional camp boxes are not easily configurable into the variety of orientations and combinations useful for outdoor activities. Boxes that can be placed in various orientations are not stable, and vice versa. Boxes cannot be combined in a flexible manner.

A need remains in the art for improved cabinets or containers and apparatus for supporting and connecting them in various configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved camp boxes and apparatus for supporting and connecting them in various configurations.

The present invention allows for flexible configurations and orientations by providing end plates on the camp boxes, the end plates having pole receiver holes oriented to allow the box to be supported in various orientations. The plates may extend outward from the box walls, or may be recessed. The plates may form the end walls or be attached to end walls.

The end plates may further include peg receiver holes, for allowing the boxes to be joined in a variety of configurations. The pegs may lock into place. The peg holes may also be used to attach casters, tabletops, lamp hangers, and the like.

The plates may also include leveling devices. The plates will generally be formed of tough, lightweight materials such as plastic, aluminum, or the like.

Multiple handles on the end plates allow the boxes to be lifted conveniently in the various orientations. The handles may be recessed to allow boxes to be attached side by side.

Preferably the boxes are squares or multiples of squares so that the peg holes line up properly in a variety of configurations. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises boxes which are twice as wide as they are tall and deep. This allows two boxes on end to be attached to on box laid out lengthwise.

The boxes may include shelves, drawers, etc., or may include fittings to allow these items to be inserted.

Variations include a second set of pole receiver holes to allow more narrowly spaced legs, and boxes having a different number of sides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a front opening work space configuration.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a top opening configuration.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a front opening rain shield configuration.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a bottom opening configuration.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the interlocking camp box of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a second embodiment of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, with a second set of pole receiving holes.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a third embodiment of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, having eight sides instead of four.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of several camp boxes attached in a first configuration.

FIG. 9 is a front view of several camp boxes attached in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box 102 according to the present invention, in a front opening work space configuration. Box 102 includes two end plates 104, each having a set of pole receiver holes 106 which allow the box to stand on poles 110 in four different positions (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 also). In the configuration of FIG. 1, the box is placed so that door 112 opens forward and downward. Wires 116 retain door 112 in a level position to provide a work space. Wires 116 may be omitted, and door 112 allowed to swing down.

Handles 111 are placed in four positions as shown in FIG. 1. This allows box 102 to be conveniently lifted in any orientation. As a feature, shelves 118 may be included, or fittings provided to allow their insertions. Camping items 120 are then stored in box 102.

Peg receiver holes 108 are provided in end plates 104, offset from the corners in each direction. This will allow boxes 102 to be attached to each other in various configurations. See FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a top opening configuration. This configuration is useful when box 102 is to be used like a trunk, but raising it off the ground is desirable. This places box 102 at a convenient height and moves box 102 out of any water or dirt, as well as providing space under box 102 for other items.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a door forward and up opening (“rain shield”) configuration, similar to a pickup topper door. This configuration is particularly useful in situations where providing some shelter to the contents of box 102 is desirable, for example for protecting the contents of box 102 from the rain, or to allow enhanced accessibility when box 102 is mounted in an overhead configuration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of different mechanisms (not shown) may be used to hold door 112 in place. Cabinet style doors may also be utilized in this configuration.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, in a bottom-opening configuration. This configuration might be used when box 102 houses a generator 402. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 4, door 112 is shown as being completely removed from box 102, and generator 402 is attached to door 112. As an alternative, door 112 could pivot down on hinges 114 and generator 402 (or other items) could be free or attached to door 112, as required.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the interlocking camp box of FIGS. 1-4. This view shows end plate 104 more clearly. End plate 104 is shown here with pole receiver holes 106 and peg receiver holes 108 in dotted lines, and these holes will not be visible if the material of end plate 104 is not transparent (for example if end plate 104 is formed of aluminum or opaque plastic). End plate 104 will include at least two sets of pole receiver holes (two holes each on two sides of the plate) so that box 102 may be supported in different orientations. Preferably four sets of pole receiver holes will be provided as shown in FIG. 5. This allows box 102 to be supported in each of the orientations shown in FIGS. 1-4. End plates 104 may be formed of any number of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, composites, or resinous compounds.

Preferably, end plate 104 also includes peg receiver holes 108, so that more than one box 102 may be joined together in various configurations. Two possible configurations are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but many configurations may prove useful. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, twelve peg receiver holes 108 are provided, so that boxes 102 may be joined at any set of sides.

The configuration of FIG. 5 also includes four handles 111. Providing four handles 111 is convenient for allowing box 102 to be lifted in any orientation. At least two non-parallel handles 111 will be desirable in most embodiments, so the handles are generally level with the bottom of box 102 in each configuration for convenient lifting.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a second embodiment of an interlocking camp box end plate 604 according to the present invention, with a second set of pole receiving holes 606. This embodiment provides the option of inserting poles 110 into end plate 604 at two different angles. The original pole receiving holes 106 will provide a wide angle between legs 110 for stability of box 102, or when boxes are stacked as in FIG. 9. The second set of pole receiver holes 606 allow legs 110 to be inserted at an narrower angle. This method of support is slightly less stable, however it moves legs 110 inward and out of the way. Therefore it is useful in situations where floor space is at a premium or tripping over legs 110 is likely.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a third embodiment of an interlocking camp box according to the present invention, having eight sides instead of four. End plate 704 is thus an octagon, and eight sets of pole receiver holes 706 are preferably provided.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of several camp boxes attached in a first configuration. Three camp boxes 102, designated 832, 834, and 836 are shown, although any number may be joined together. Pegs 822 join the camp boxes when inserted into the relevant peg receiver holes 108. Peg receiver holes 108 are located on the edges and along the outer surface of the end plates. They are preferably offset slightly from the corners and are at 90 degree angles from each other. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, they intersect each other. Peg receiver holes 108 are positioned to line up with peg receiver holes 108 of opposing end plates in all horizontal and vertical orientations. Pegs 822 may be simple dowels used to prevent boxes 832, 834, 836 from sliding relative to each other, or they may include locking elements. Peg receiver holes 108 (and associated pegs 822) can be square (such as a trailer hitch receiver), round, hexagonal, etc. and may include provision for a “cam-lock” type insert (not shown).

Handles 811 are inset in this embodiment, so that adjacent boxes 834, 836 may be connected side-by-side with their end plates 104 flush to each other.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 shows box 823 stacked on top of and attached to box 834, and another box 836 attached adjacent to box 834. In this embodiment, the bottom box 834 would probably be oriented in a door forward position as shown in FIG. 1 or 3. Boxes 832 and 836 might be oriented in one of the door forward positions, or the door upward position of FIG. 2. In the latter case, boxes 823, 834 could be fitted with drawer or file cabinet inserts. Note that many permutations of this configuration are possible. For example, a box 102 might be attached along the long side of box 834. Or two boxes 102 might be turned vertically and attached to the top of box 832. Poles 110 may be inserted into pole receiver holes 106 in order to raise the entire configuration off the ground. Etc.

FIG. 9 is a front view of several camp boxes 102, designated 932, 934, and 936 attached in a second particularly useful configuration. In the configuration of FIG. 9, boxes 932 and 934 are placed vertically and attached together. They would most likely have their doors 112 open outward, like a cabinet. A third box 936 is attached at the top of cabinets 932 and 934. It might be placed in the “rain shield” orientation of FIG. 3 so that its door 112 provides some shelter to all of the boxes 932, 934, 936. Again, an infinite number of configurations based upon this idea are possible. Box 936 could be under boxes 932 and 934. A row of boxes might be placed side by side. Etc. As another alternative, wall mount brackets that anchor into the top peg receivers can be utilized for stabilization when the cabinets are placed against a vertical surface. The legs might also be inserted into the front of box 936 in a like situation, or into both front and rear sides to provide stability for independently stacked boxes. 

1. A configurable camp box comprising: a box having six sides wherein two opposing sides include end plates and another of the sides forms a pivoting door; wherein the end plates have an outer surface and four edges extending back from the outer surface and the end plates include a series of pole receiver holes extending into the edges at acute angles from the edges, the pole receiver holes constructed and arranged to allow poles for supporting the boxes to be inserted into the holes, and wherein at least two of the edges have at least two spaced apart pole receiver holes each, such that poles inserted into two holes on an edge support the end plate having that edge.
 2. The camp box of claim 1 wherein all four edges include two spaced-apart holes each.
 3. The camp box of claim 1, wherein the end plates further form peg receiver holes constructed to permit the insertion of connecting pegs.
 4. The camp box of claim 3 wherein the end plates form 12 peg receiver holes each, three arrayed around each corner, one of the three offset from its corner along each of the two edges joining at that corner, and the other of the three offset from its corner along the outer surface.
 5. A composite camp box configuration comprising at least a first and a second of the camp boxes of claim 4 and wherein: the peg receiver holes on the first camp box are aligned with the peg receiver holes on the second camp box when any of the sides of the first box is adjacent to any of the sides of the second box and when corners of the two boxes are aligned; and pegs are inserted into the aligned holes on the first box and the second box to connect the two boxes.
 6. The camp box of claim 4 wherein the peg receiver holes incorporate a locking mechanism to selectively prevent pegs from being removed from the peg receiver holes.
 7. The camp box of claim 1 further comprising handles attached to each end plate.
 8. The camp box of claim 7, wherein four handles are attached to each end plate, the four handles oriented to allow the camp box to be lifted in any orientation.
 9. The camp box of claim 7 wherein the handles are recessed into the end plates.
 10. The camp box of claim 1 further including cables attached to the pivoting door side and sides adjacent to the pivoting door side for holding the pivoting door generally level when the door is opened from a vertical position down into a horizontal position.
 11. The camp box of claim 1 wherein the end plates are square and the other box sides are rectangular with lengths an integer multiple of the length of an end plate.
 12. The camp box of claim 11 wherein the rectangular sides are twice as long as the end plates.
 13. End plates for attaching to each end of a box and supporting the box in different orientations, each end plate comprising: a sheet of a rigid material having an outer surface and edges extending back from the outer surface; a series of pole receiver holes extending into the edges at acute angles from the edges; the pole receiver holes constructed and arranged to allow poles for supporting the boxes to be inserted into the holes; and wherein at least two of the edges have at least two spaced apart pole receiver holes, such that poles inserted into two holes on an edge support the end plate having that edge.
 14. The end plates of claim 13 wherein all of edges include two spaced-apart holes each.
 15. The end plates of claim 13, further comprising a second set of two spaced apart pole receiver holes formed in the same edges where the first set of pole receiver holes were formed, but at different angles than the first set of pole receiver holes.
 16. The end plates of claim 13, furthering form peg receiver holes constructed to permit the insertion of connecting pegs.
 17. The end plates of claim 16 wherein the end plates are square and form 12 peg receiver holes each, three arrayed around each corner, one of the three offset from its corner along each of the two edges joining at that corner, and the other of the three offset from its corner along the outer surface.
 18. The end plates of claim 16 wherein the peg receiver holes incorporate a locking mechanism to selectively prevent pegs from being removed from the peg receiver holes.
 19. The end plates of claim 13 further comprising handles attached to each end plate.
 20. The end plates of claim 19, wherein four handles are attached to each end plate, the four handles oriented to allow an attached box to be lifted in any orientation.
 21. The end plates of claim 19 wherein the handles are recessed into the end plates.
 22. A method of providing a configurable camp box comprising the steps of: forming a box having six sides wherein two opposing sides include end plates and another of the sides forms a pivoting door; forming the end plates to have an outer surface and four edges along the outer surface and extending back from the outer surface, and forming a series of pole receiver holes extending into the edges at acute angles from the edges, the pole receiver holes constructed and arranged to allow poles for supporting the boxes to be inserted into the holes, and forming at least two spaced apart pole receiver holes each in at least two of the edges, such that poles inserted into two holes on an edge support the end plate having that edge.
 23. The method of claim 22 further including the step of forming at least two spaced apart pole receiver holes each in all four edges.
 24. The method of claim 22, further including the step of forming peg receiver holes constructed to permit the insertion of connecting pegs.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the peg receiver hole forming step forms 12 peg receiver holes in each end plate, three arrayed around each corner, one of the three offset from its corner along each of the two edges joining at that corner, and the other of the three offset from its corner along the outer surface.
 26. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of: forming a second camp box according to claim 22; placing the peg receiver holes on the first camp box such that they are aligned with the peg receiver holes on the second camp box when a side of the first box is adjacent to a side of the second box and box corners are aligned; and forming a composite camp box configuration comprising at least two camp boxes by placing sides of the boxes adjacent to each other, aligning the peg holes in the adjacent sides, and inserting pegs into the aligned peg holes on the two adjacent sides to connect the two boxes. 